Corruption Scandal at Bloom Bank: Ex-Staff Accused of Embezzlement, Case Delayed by Adjournments

Bloom Bank finds itself embroiled in a deepening corruption scandal as two former employees face serious allegations of embezzlement and forgery, with their court proceedings repeatedly delayed.

Musa Joseph Sesay, formerly the bank's Human Resource and Administrative Officer, and Joshua Gbanyah, who rose from Dispatch Rider to Administrative Officer, appeared before Freetown Magistrate Court No.1 on Monday, August 11, 2025. They are accused of conspiring to defraud, larceny by a servant, obtaining money through false pretenses, forgery, and uttering forged documents – all violations of Sierra Leonean law.

The core of the allegations centers on the misappropriation of over NLe 600,000 intended for the bank's EDSA electricity top-up payments. Court documents detail multiple instances between January 2 and December 31, 2023, where Sesay and Gbanyah allegedly facilitated the payment of NLe 621,000, money earmarked for the bank's electricity bills.

Adding another layer to the charges, Gbanyah is further accused of forging academic documents from the College of Digital Excellence, including falsified statements of results bearing his name and allegedly signed by the college's Registrar.

During the recent hearing, both accused were present alongside the second prosecution witness and lead prosecutor, ASP Ibrahim Mansaray. Notably, lawyer Charles Pujeh, representing Gbanyah, was absent.

Principal Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah expressed his frustration with the delays, emphasizing the need for swift progress. "I want all parties to be here while the case is being heard," he stated. "The matter should proceed swiftly and efficiently."

Despite the Magistrate's insistence, the case has been subject to multiple postponements. After an adjournment on August 13th, the proceedings have now been pushed to August 18th for further hearings. Meanwhile, both accused remain out on bail.

This unfolding case casts a spotlight on persistent concerns regarding financial misconduct within banking institutions in Sierra Leone, underscoring the urgent need for more robust oversight mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future.